hammered home The Prime Minister and his deputy the final nail in the WorkChoices coffin.

Australian Workplace Agreements Today we declare

to be dead and buried. new workplace agreements, the laws banning badly bruised but Coalition members were left with a new motion. after Labor pushed them into a corner employment agreements should ...that statutory individual Australian workplace relations laws. never again be reintroduced into They were furious. to move such a motion. for a Government, for a Government That's why it was put down you silly goose. that Rudd begin the debate, and relished every minute. But Labor had the upper hand that's the three choices. Cover-up, WorkChoices or cower -

The Government closed down debate and forced the vote.

Now they have moved to gag us, on a motion that condemns us. but we have a right to speak That's not a parliament, that's a joke.

the Opposition walked out, In disgust, but their options were limited, they opposed the resolution, and back in the chamber leaving Labor with a delicious line right up to the next election. that's sure to be milked they will reintroduce WorkChoices. They will reintroduce AWAs, Leonie Mellor, Ten News.

As the Tibet crisis worsens, an

Australian tourist has shot video

of Chinese soldiers suppressing the protests.

protests. You are kidding me. The

Sydney man watched for hours as

young Tibetans rose up against

Beijing rule, attacking Chinese businesses. Australia's biggest

trading partner is calling it a

life or death struggle, while

refusing to confirm rioters have

been shot. On the Chinese mainland,

Tibetan exiles have massed in protests which have also been

crushed by the People's Army. It's

the fifth anniversary of the Iraq

invasion and George Bush says any

troop withdrawal will place recent

gains in jeopardy. His comments

have been met with protests across

the US. The President believes his

Iraq has become the troops are winning Iraqi hearts.

Iraq has become the place with

Arabs join with imaurpbs to drive

al-- Americans to drive al-Qa'ida

out. The surgeon dubbed Australia's

Dr Death is still behind bars in

the US. Lawyers for the Australian

Government arguing that Jayant

Patel has significant finances,

enough to flee the US if granted

bail. He did have a small win. bail. He did have a small win. The

judge ordering his prison food be

improved. He's facing 14

manslaughter and fraud charges from

his time at Queensland hospital.

His bail will be reviewed next week.

Sydney's Royal Easter Show opens

today. Around 1.4 million people

expected through the gates over the

next two weeks. One of the big draw

cards will be the equestrian event,

the first to be held before the

outbreak of the flu. A lot of

people will arrive just for the

rides and showbags. The AFL season

starts tonight, two games. Chris

Judd will debut for Carlton against

Richmond in the early match, before

Port hosts Geelong in a grand final

rematch. Footy's finally back and

the first game can't come quickly

enough for Fevola. The troubled

forward fined and on his last

chance but in the Carlton team to

play Richmond. I thought the

penalty was fair and square. I

think we try and help Brendon and

there's also something hanging over

his head. So if you don't follow

the rules at the club. Chris Judd

will make his debut for the Blues.

The Tigers, including The Tigers, including Jordan

McMahon. The reigning premiers have

concerns, Brad Ottens will miss.

Trent West will play his first game.

Three or four changes from Three or four changes from the grand final with Tom coming in and

Ryan will play as well. Port Ryan will play as well. Port

Adelaide selecting a Adelaide selecting a 20-year-old

draft pick. He can play on tall and

small players and a great rebounder

and we're really looking forward to

him. A disappointing night for the

A-League clubs competing in the

Asian Champions League..

Stefan Baga was the man who broke Victory's

Victory's heart. A moment of

brilliance. What a goal! What an

incredible strike by Stefan Baga

snfpt out of nothing. Adelaide

United almost produced their own

classic but Diego's effort was as

close as they came. Krbs mart not

for sale after all? -- Kmart not

for sale after all? Wesfarmers

considered selling the discount

department store but the Perth-based congromerate has

decided to keep the decided to keep the business.

Wesfarmers plans to spend $300

million to improve the retail chain.

Midwest is set to formerly reject

the $1.2 billion takeover bid from

a steel company. The Chinese-backed

company needs to increase its bid

by at least 25% to $7 a share.

Midwest is taking advantage of the

feud between Rio and BHP. The miner

holding out for a better offer,

given the importance of iron ore to

Beijing. National Beijing. National weather for Thursday:

Looking at what's making news in

today's papers - growing links

between Kevin Rudd and two

high-profile Chinese businessmen.

Analysts are predicting yesterday's

share market rally may have legs.

And Adelaide fruit and vegetable

growers say they're being squeezed

out by business by supermarket

giants. Australian businesses after

a $3 billion tax break. Find out why when we come back.

This is Ten's Early News. Easter

petrol pain - warnings that fuel will

will pass the $1.50 mark as the new

petrol price cop vows to keep a

close eye on the bowser. Stawell

Gift champion Nathan Allen charged

with importing steroids. He pulls

out of this year's event. In the US

- the fifth anniversary of the warren

warren Iraq. Protesters calling for

an end to the conflict. Tribute to

a country music legend - a country music legend - Smoky Dawson farewelled at a special

concert in Sydney. The Fed's rate

cut not enough it seems to keep

stocks in the black with talk of a

recession back in the market. The

material sector has fallen almost 5%.

Visa soarsen its Wall Street

listing, how Aussie banks are set to

to reap the rewards. The PM's new

petrol price cop will be watching

the bowser over the long weekend as

motorists are warned that fuel is

hitting the $1.50 a litre mark. Petrol has surged in Sydney and

Melbourne, while there are reports

of shortages in Queensland. Kevin

Rudd says the newly Rudd says the newly appointed

petrol price commissioner petrol price commissioner will be

monitoring fuel prices over coming

days. The ACCC is threatening to came came and shame retailers who lift came and shame retailers who lift prices above the Singapore oil

benchmark. A 38-year-old man has

been pulled from his burning car

after leading police on a high

speed chase through Sydney. The

driver was wanted for speeding. The

chase turned in to a rescue when

the car lost control, the driver

lost control, ploughing in to an embankment and bursting in to

flames. The man received minor

injuries. Stawell Gift champion

Nathan Allen will face court in May

a, accused of importing steroids.

The defending race winner was

arrested in Melbourne. He arrested in Melbourne. He was

accused of importing steroids. He's

now wrain from the event and is --

withdrawn from thevent and is set

to be provisionally suspended. The

Federal Government will seek

clemency for an Australian woman

qibted of heroin trafficking. She's

been ordered to face a firing squad

in Vietnam. She had launched an

appeal to get her life sentence

reduced but the court upgraded it to the death penalty.

to the death penalty. Australian

businesses want a $3 billion tax

break from the Government to deal

with going green. Businesses have

asked for the tax break to help

them adjust to climate change

policy, releasing a submission

before the Maier budget. A cut in

company tax from 30% to 25% by 2010

is suggested. A serial child sex is suggested. A serial child sex

predator is on his way back to the

UK after his release from UK after his release from a

Brisbane jail. But the deportation

has outraged people in Britain who

say he will reoffend. Out of jail

and on his way out of the country,

serial child rapist escorted by

police to Brisbane's international

airport for a flight back to the UK.

I think that Queensland is well rid of

of this man. He's been in and out

of jail since 1965. He's a serial

paedophile. The 61-year-old has a

30-year history of sex crimes

against young boys. And everything

time he was released from prison,

he reoffended. He hasn't lived in

England since he was a child but

Australian authorities decided he

had to go. We have alerted the

British authorities to the fact he British authorities to the fact he

is coming. I understand they're

going to be supervising him. The

English tabloids not so sure. They

fear he'll reoffend once fear he'll reoffend once back in

the UK and child protection

advocatus agree. You have to accept

for some offenders there's no

turning back. There's no way to

cure them or stop them. He will be

placed on a sex placed on a sex offenders registry

in the UK. The PM is demanding a blueprint for victory in

Afghanistan on the fifth

anniversary of the launch of the

Iraq war. Kevin Rudd has sent his strongest signal yet to allied

leaders that Australia's commitment

to Afghanistan is not unconditional.

It's only responsible to remain

militarily engaged in a conflict

where you're putting our men and

women on the line, as if you

believe it is winnable. The PM's

comments came as Angus Houston was

reappointed for another three years. Meantime, President George Bush

says America is now making

significant gains in Iraq that

could be unravelled by troop

withdrawals. His message met by

protests across the nation. Bikers

put the brakes on the morning rush

hour. And a chanting crowd surrounded headquarters in

Washington. Protests are happening

across the country, marking the fifth anniversary of the start of

the Iraq war. Speaking at the Pentagon,

Pentagon, President Bush made

strong claims on the ground. Iraq

has become the place where Arabs

join the Americans to drive

al-Qa'ida out. The war effort was

faltering a little over a year ago

but that changed once the surge strategy

strategy happened? A major

strategic victory. While President

Bush called the recent successes in

Iraq undeniable, critics are still

pushing back hard, demanding an end

to the war. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are renewing their

pledges for a plan to bring the war

to a close if one of them is

elected president. Tony Mokbel is

behind bars in Athens with the

Greek justice minister reviewing

his case. It could take up to two

months for the extradition ordered

to be formerly approved. Mokbel's

lawyers are considering making a

final afeel the European Court of

Human Rights, claiming he won't

receive a fair trial in Australia.

He's facing 15 charges, including

murder. Some of country music's

biggest names have gathered in

Sydney for a farewell concert

honouring Smoky Dawson. Last honouring Smoky Dawson. Last night

was a fitting tribute to the singer

who would have celebrated his 95th birthday.

Dawson died last month after

complications from surgery. The new

Essendon coach, Matthew Knights, is

not showing any nerves in the

lead-up to his home skpu way

coaching debut. Kevin Sheedy's

successor has put the Bombers

through a very tough preseason. I think

think it's the great unknown for all of us. all of us. We understand our young

team won't be intimidated. They'll

play hard and aggressive and take

the game on. What flows from that,

I don't think anyone's sure. Rugby

league's crackdown on head and neck

tackles faced its first test before

the judiciary last night. Todd

Payten was cleared. In 12 seasons

of first grade, Todd Payten of first grade, Todd Payten had

never before fronted the judiciary,

accused of a so-called crusher

tackle. The tribunal took 20

minutes to clear him of a contrary

conduct charge, one of three dished

out. Players' safety should always

be top priority but they have to be a

a little bit realistic. Another

flare-up between Melbourne and the

Warriors. On Monday the Warriors

were twice left waiting by the

Storm. Now the Kiwi club has

refused to allow Brent Tate to help

Cameron Smith over a grapple tackle

charge. The late start would be

petty thing to go on about that.

Another injury blow for Steve Price.

Sidelined for eight weekwise a

hamstring tear, all but ruling him

out of the State of Origin opener.

Massive blow. He's pretty

instrumental in our side, both in

leadership and as an experienced

player and game time he can play

for us. The party is set to

continue today for Pura Cup

champions NSW. The Blues' vitdry

against the Victorians reason --

victory against the Victorians

reason enough for all night celebrations. I will be celebrations. I will be very

surprised if we leave here before

the early hours of the morning. Nick Jewell and Cameron White

showed some fight in the chase of

629 runs but Beau Casson's four wickts seal ad258-run

wickts seal ad258-run win. Record-breaking captain Simon

Katich was the man of the Katich was the man of the match.

Let's go back to finance now. Visa

talks Wall Street by storm. It has.

The world's largest credit card

processor on Wall Street. The

record $18 billion float could

deliver a pretax windfall to

Australian financial institutions. Australian financial institutions.

ANZ, who stands to make ANZ, who stands to make $350

million on its holdings. Westpac could

could be looking at a gross profit

of $200 million

of $200 million and NAB $100 million. Internet giant Yahoo has

increased pressure on Microsoft to

raise its takeover offer. The online

online search engine will try to

convince shareholders it's better

off on its own rather than

succumbbing to the $45 billion

offer. Yahoo has outlined a

positive forecast for the next two

years, promising to increase

revenue by more than 50% to fend

off the deal. The national forecast

on the edge of the Easter weekend:

Front page apologies to the parents

of Madeleine McCann coming up. And the CommSec finance report the CommSec finance report when the Early News

overnight. Details when the Early News returns. Double demerit points are now in force for the easter long weekend.

A-C-T and New South Police will both be out in force to monitor speeding and seat belt offences, as well as drink driving, licence and registration compliance. A-C-T Police are also urging us to plan and prepare our trips, to prevent fatigue or car problems setting in. Double demerit points will be in force until late

Monday night The A-C-T Government has begun a study, on future sites for local Emergency services bases. The feasibility study aims to determine the best and most cost effective areas to base the A-C-T's fire, ambulance and S-E-S bases, over the next thirty five years. The A-C-T is on par with the national average in our population growth. The A-B-S says the territory's population has grown by ONE POINT FIVE per cent over the year to last September, to three hundred and forty thousand people. Australia's population also grew by ONE POINT FIVE per cent, to TWENTY ONE POINT ONE MILLION.

A community group has been established to oversee the operation of the new A-C-T prison. The group will hold regular meetings with the superintendent and other senior staff at the Prison, to check on the conditions and rehabilitation of inmates. The prison is due for completion later this year. And the National Folk Festival kicks off in Canberra today. About 150 music acts from across Australia and the world will be in town for the five day event, to be based at EPIC and several other venues across the across the city. TO SPORT Hooker Huia Edmonds has been promoted to the Brumbies run on side for tomorrow night's home super fourteen clash against the Cheetahs. Edmonds replaces Saia Fiangaa, who's been rested

Saia Fiangaa, who's been rested to overcome a hamstring strain. Scrumhalf Josh Holmes replaces Patrick Phibbs in Patrick Phibbs in the first fifteen, while lock Peter Kimlin will also make his run on debut. NOW TO THE WEATHER A ridge along the coast is weakening as a trough to the west approaches ... bringing unsettled

conditions and a cooler change Nationally... mostly fine for Sydney today ... a possible afternoon storm for Canberra... a shower or two for Melbourne Locally... partly cloudy and warm for Dubbo ... a late shower for Wollongong ... a shower or two for shower or two for Wagga... wet in Bega Mostly fine for Bathurst... a shower or two for

Batemans Bay ... showers around Goulburn as well Partly cloudy for Mudgee ... mostly fine for Parkes... a storm for Thredbo Looking ahead: Showers and storms developing later tomorrow will most likely hang around into Friday morning... but that is where they should stay. Mostly cloudy conditions are forecast for Saturday, Sunday and Monday... showers looking to be back on Tuesday (that's the latest from Southern Cross Ten ... stay with us for all your national and local

This is Ten's Early News. Easter

petrol pain - warnings that fuel

will pass the $1.50 mark as the new

petrol price cop vows to keep a

close eye on that bowser. Stawell Gift champion Nathan Allen charged

with importing steroids and

withdrawing from this year's event.

The US marks the fifth anniversary

of the war in Iraq. Protesters have

called for an end to the conflict.

And a tribute to a country music

legend. Smoky Dawson farewelled at

a special concert in Sydney. How's

Wall Street set to close? Unless

there's a significant late rally,

stocks are set to close firmly in

the red after recession talks

entered the market one day after

the Fed cut rates.

Visa soars on its listing on Wall

Street. How the Aussie banks are

set to reap the rewards. The PM's

new petrol price cop will be

watching the bowser over the long

weekend as motorists are warned

fuel will hit the $1.50 a litre

mark. Petrol's already surged this

week in Sydney and Melbourne. And

there are reports of there are reports of shortages

across Queensland. Kevin Rudd says

the new petrol price commissioner

will be monitoring prices over

coming days. The ACCC is

threatening to name and threatening to name and shame

retailers who lift prices above the

Singapore oil benchmark. Stawell

Gift champion Nathan Allen will face court in May accused of

importing steroids. The defending

race winner and Olympic hopeful was

arrested in Melbourne just after

appearing at the launch of this

year's Gift. Allen is accused of importing steroids. He's now

withdrawn from the event and is set to be provisionally suspended to be provisionally suspended by

Athletics Australia. A man has been

stabbed to death, another seriously

injured after an attack in Sydney's

crbs BD. Both men were stabbed

several times in the upper body out

sad shopping centre early this

morning. A 19-year-old man died on

the way to hospital. A man in the way to hospital. A man in his

20s is in a serious condition. Two

men fled from the scene in a taxi.

They were arrested a short time

later at a train station. A serial

child sex predator is on his way

back to the UK after his release

from a Brisbane jail. But the

deportation has outraged people in

Britain, who say he will reoffend.

Out of jail and on his way out of

the country, serial child rapist

Horne escorted by police to

Brisbane's international airport,

for a flight back to the UK. I

think that Queensland is well rid

of this man. He's been in and out

of jail since 1965. He's a serial

paedophile. The 61-year-old has a

30-year history of sex crimes

against young boys. And every time

he was released from prison, he

reoffended. Horne hasn't lived in

England since he was a child but Australian

Australian authorities decided he

had to go. We have alerted the

British authorities to the fact

he's coming. I understand they are

going to be supervising him. The

English tabloids not so sure. They

fear he'll reoffend once back in

the UK. And child protection

advocates agree. We just have to

accept for some offenders there's

no turning back. There's no way to

cure them or stop it. They will

offend for the rest of their lives.

Horne will be placed on a sex

offenders registry in the UK.

Australian businesses want a $3

billion green tax break. Businesses

have asked for the break to help them adjust to climate change policies. They've release

adsubmission before the May Budget.

The Australian Industry Group

suggest as cut in company tax from

30% to 25% by 2010. Five years on,

from the US-led invasion of Iraq,

President George Bush says America

is now making significant gains but

could be unravelled by troop withdrawals.

withdrawals. His message met by

protests across the nation. Bikers

put the brakes on the morning rush

hour. And a chanting crowd

surrounded headquarters in

Washington . Speaking at the Pentagon, President Bush made

strong claims of success on the

ground. Iraq has become the place

where Arabs join with Americans to

drive al-Qa'ida out. The commander

in chief acknowledged a little over

a year ago the war effort was

faltering but says that changed

once the troop surge strategy began.

It has opened the door to a major strategic victory in the broader

war on terror. While President Bush

called the recent successes in Iraq

undeniable and warned about withdrawing American forces too

soon, critics are still pushing

back hard, demanding an end to the

war. Both Barack Obama and Hillary

Clinton are renewing their pledges

for a plan to bring the war to for a plan to bring the war to a

close if one of them is elected

President. The surgeon dubbed

Australia's Dr Death is still

behind bars in the US, bail

refused. Lawyers for the Australian Government arguing that Government arguing that Jayant